american association of equine practitioners | Horse Racing Free Tips

AAEP Board Votes To Support Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act

On the recommendation of its Racing Committee, the American Association of Equine Practitioners board of directors voted this week to support the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act (H.R. 1754/S. 4547). The legislation's chief goal is to create uniform safety and medication standards in all U.S. racing jurisdictions.

“Uniformity of rules is essential to protecting the safety of the racehorse and ensuring the integrity of the sport,” said AAEP President Dr. David Frisbie.

The AAEP's position of support is principally based on the qualifications of the individuals chosen to serve on the HISA Nominating Committee, including equine industry leaders Dr. Jerry Black and Dr. Nancy Cox, who will select the members of the board of directors and the standing committees of the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act Authority.

However, for the horse to be best served, the AAEP will continue to advocate for additional veterinary representation on the HISA board and committees beyond the single position currently designated for each.

“In the previous version of the bill, the AAEP was a strong proponent for the governance structure to include individuals with the requisite expertise needed to capably address anti-doping and therapeutic medication regulation,” said Dr. Jeff Berk, AAEP immediate past president and Racing Committee chair. “The composition of the Authority Nominating Committee gives us confidence that the needed scientific expertise for these important positions will be considered, but we believe the breadth of knowledge needed to successfully protect equine athletes requires additional individuals.”

Regarding the race-day administration of furosemide (Lasix), the AAEP's position continues as one of support, as the medication remains the most efficacious treatment for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in the horse.

However, in 2019, a coalition of 20 racetracks, including hosts of Triple Crown races, along with numerous racing jurisdictions committed to restricting administration of furosemide on race day, independent of federal legislation.

“We are pleased to see in the revised legislation that the Authority will convene an advisory panel comprised of horse racing anti-doping and medication control experts to study race-day furosemide, including its impact on equine health and the integrity of competition,” added Dr. Scott Hay, AAEP president-elect and a racetrack practitioner. “Investigating effective management strategies for EIPH which do not require race-day medication administration has been a central goal of the AAEP's Prescription for Racing Reform developed five years ago.”

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

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Auburn University Faculty Clinician Selected As AAEP’s My Vet Rocks Recipient For August

Alfredo Sanchez-Londoño, DVM, MS, DACVIM, associate clinical professor, equine field service, at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, AL, has been selected as the August honoree of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) My Vet Rocks Contest, which celebrates the important relationship between veterinarian, owner and horse.

Dr. Sanchez-Londoño was among dozens of AAEP-member veterinarians nominated by horse owners for the award during August. Also recognized for their exemplary care were runners-up Dr. Lynn Gomes-Berkelaar, owner of Performance Equine Veterinary Services in Holly Springs, NC, and Dr. Anne Christopherson, owner of Western Skies Veterinary Services in Morriston, FL.

As co-supervisor of the equine field service, Dr. Sanchez-Londoño works with veterinary students to provide on-the-farm primary and emergency care within a 35-mile radius of the university's J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Universidad de La Salle in Bogata, Colombia, and joined Auburn in April 2019 after 14 years in a similar capacity at Tufts University in Connecticut.

Nominators praised Dr. Sanchez-Londoño's clinical proficiency, communication skills and deep-seated commitment to owner and student education. According to nominator Donna Tommelleo, “His approach to horses, horse owners and all things equine is rooted in constant learning, teaching and compassion. … He is ever the teacher and, just as important, ever the student, always in tune with the latest research and best practice. As a horse owner, you know Alfredo's approach is at the forefront of what's new, what's next and what's best.”

Holly Whitney added, “To say that he always makes himself available to his clients is an understatement. Even if he was not on call, he would still call to speak with me and the veterinarian on duty. Then he would have me send him pictures or videos. … He also created a program in which area farms hosted veterinary students for a weekend to introduce them to species with which they have had little to no previous exposure hoping to someday inspire the next great equine veterinarian.”

“I'm very honored that my clients thought that I provided good service to them and that they decided to nominate me,” said Dr. Sanchez-Londoño. “Although I left Connecticut about 18 months ago, my clients from up there still call and keep me updated on their horses. I enjoy staying in touch with them and appreciate their recognition for this award.”

Dr. Sanchez-Londoño received a prize package from the AAEP and contest sponsor American Regent Animal Health, manufacturer of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). In addition, he is now eligible to win the contest's grand prize, which will be announced later this year in conjunction with the AAEP's Virtual Convention & Trade Show. The grand-prize winner will be selected from the winning entries from each month of the contest, which ran from June through August.

2020 AAEP Convention And Trade Show Goes Virtual

The American Association of Equine Practitioners announced today that the 2020 AAEP Annual Convention & Trade Show, originally scheduled for Dec. 5 through 9 in Las Vegas, NV, will take place instead as a virtual event. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the potential safety risks to AAEP members, staff, exhibitors and others attending necessitated the move.

The newly envisioned AAEP Virtual Annual Convention & Trade Show will include many of the popular elements which have brought equine veterinarians together annually for nearly seven decades: peer-reviewed education; camaraderie with colleagues; and connection to Trade Show exhibitors from all sectors of the veterinary market.

The exact dates for December's Virtual Convention & Trade Show and the schedule of sessions and events will be announced in September. The educational program will offer a blend of live and on-demand sessions, ensuring practitioners can conveniently earn CE hours based on their personal schedules.

“The AAEP Convention is not only an educational experience but an important gathering for our close-knit community of Horse Doctors,” said AAEP President Dr. David Frisbie. “While we may not be together in the same city this year, the Virtual Convention promises to offer the connection that so many of us are seeking after the disruption of 2020.”

Registration for the Virtual Annual Convention & Trade Show will open in September and offer a different pricing structure than the in-person event. Those who have already registered for Las Vegas will be contacted by AAEP staff.

Practice Owners From Texas And Montana Appointed AAEP Officers

Drs. Rob Franklin and Amy Grice have been appointed officers of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and will assume their respective positions when installed during the December 8 President's Luncheon at the 66th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. Dr. Franklin has been named 2021 vice president and will assume the role of AAEP president in 2023; Dr. Grice has been named treasurer and will serve a three-year term.

Dr. Franklin is a partner in Fredericksburg Equine Veterinary Services in Fredericksburg, Texas, and a strong advocate for equine-humanitarian efforts through his support of working equid welfare. A founding director of the Equitarian Initiative, Dr. Franklin has led more than 15 veterinary medical trips to Central America since 2012 to administer care to the region's working equids and education to caretakers. He is also co-founder of animal nutritional supplement company Animal Stewards International, whose pay-it-forward model helps animals in need in underdeveloped countries.

An AAEP member since 1998, Dr. Franklin chairs the Wellness Committee and previously served on the board of directors from 2015-2017. In addition, he has volunteered as a member of the Educational Programs and Nominating committees.

Dr. Franklin received his veterinary degree in 1999 from Texas A&M University and became board certified in large animal internal medicine in 2003. His avid support of organized veterinary medicine extends beyond his AAEP service: He is co-founder and past president of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association, past president of the Marion (County, Fla.) Veterinary Medical Association and a former director of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. In addition, Dr. Franklin has published numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and he has presented at national and international veterinary conferences.

Dr. Grice is a veterinary business consultant in Virginia City, Mont., who after 25 years as an ambulatory equine practitioner with Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, N.Y., resigned as managing partner of the large referral practice in 2015 to launch her consulting practice, which helps veterinarians navigate challenging practice environments to lead more successful and satisfying lives.

Dr. Grice received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1990 and her MBA from Marist College School of Management in 2014. She frequently speaks at educational seminars for veterinarians and contributes veterinary business articles to AAEP Media Partner EquiManagement. In addition, she facilitates regional Decade One networking groups for early-career veterinarians and serves on the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee.

An AAEP member since 1990, Dr. Grice currently serves on the Wellness Committee. She previously served on the board of directors from 2016-2018, the Foundation Advisory Council, and the Educational Programs, Leadership Development, Nominating and Owner Education committees. She received the 2017 AAEP President's Award for her central role in the development of the AAEP-AVMA Economic Survey.